Packaging machine and circular applying mechanism therefor



M. J. MILMOE Feb. 1, 1944.

PACKAGING MACHINE AND CIRCULAR APPLYING MECHANISM THEREFOR Original Filed Sept. 17, 1957 3 Sheelts-ISheet Al www.

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W an ,maa w mm/ MaJ, im U.. m w mw Feb. 1, 1944. M J MILMOE 2,340,678

PACKAGING MACHINE AND CIRCULAR APPLYING MECHANISM THEREFOR `Original Filed Sept. 17, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 15` Feb. 1, 1944. M L MILMOE 7 2,340,678

PACKAGING MACHINE AND CIRCULAR APPLYING MECHANISM THEREFOR Original Filed SepMt. 17, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. l, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT oFElcE PACKAGING MACHINE AND CIRCULAR APPLYING MECHANISM THEREFOR Original application September 17, 1937, Serial No. 164,364. Divided and this application October 31, 1940, Serial No. 363,785

This invention relates to packaging machines and the like, and concerns more particularly circular folding and applying mechanisms for use in connection therewith and in association with the packaging operations.

It -is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved article packaging machine, the machine having improved circular folding and applying mechanisms cooperable therewith and with the various packaging operations thereof.

More specifically stated, the invention contemplates -in a packaging machine or the like, the provision of improved means for introducing a slip, such as a piece of paper, into a container adapted to receive articles, and means for introducing a folded circular also into the container and preferably into superposed relation with the articles loaded therein. In accordance with the invention, the circular introducing means includes an improved form of folding mechanism cooperable therewith at the circular introducing station, and the circular introdueing mechanism cooperates with the several 'packaging operations, and more particularly in the embodiment illustrated with the nal container closing operation, in a novel and improved manner. The circular introducing means is adapted for operation as an incident to the container closing operation and without interference therewith, the container and its closing means being utilized to facilitate the proper performance of the circular introducing means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a packaging machine for packaging articles into containers having hinged lids, in combination with circular introducing means, wherein the hinged lids of the containers,l and the closing thereof is utilized for insuring and facilitating the proper performance of the circular introducing mechanism.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent throughout the progress of the following specification.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a selected embodiment of the invention, and the views therein are as follows:

Fig: 1 is an elevation of an'improved machine, specifically a machine for packaging tablets or the like in h-inged-lid containers, constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top, planview ofthe machine;

Fig. 3 is a detail, perspective view of fone of the containers in openk position, showing the tablets arranged therein;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing la slip inserted on top of the arranged tablets;

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Figs. 3 and 4 showving a folded circular arranged within the conv larly illustrating the container lid-closing means,

and taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a detail, sectional view of the same mechanism, taken on the line 9-9 of' Fig. 2;

' Fig. 10 is a similar, detail, sectional view, on the line Ill-I0 of Fig. 2, and showing the folded circular being inserted in the container;

Fig. ll is a view similar to Fig. l0, showing the condition of the parts after the insertion of the circular; and

Fig. 12 is a top, plan view of the mechanism illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10.

The present invention is illustrated as applied to a machine for packing disk-shaped articles or tablets, but it is to be understood that the principles of operation and mechanisms disclosed may be applied to the packaging of other types of articles vas well. This application is a division of the joint application of Michael J. Milmoe and Clarence J. Malhiot, Serial No. 164,364, filed September 17, 1937, now Patent No. 2,227,378, and entitled Packaging machine and method of packaging. The present application concerns more particularly the final packaging operations, including the closing of the loaded containers, and the slip and circular inserting mechanisms cooperable therewith.

Referring to the drawings, the machine disclosed in general comprises a packaging machine for packaging a plurality of tablets in a container having a hinged top'. The containers which receive the tablets are carried by a chain conveyor along a predetermined path, which conveyor is driven intermittently of step by step and has a series of buckets or pockets for receiving' the containers in open position. As soon as the containers arrive at a predetermined position, a piece of precut material or paper is placed in the bottom. of theicontainer, the material being cut Iby a reciprocating knife, the movement'of which is automatically synchronized with the feeding movement of the conveyor. The containers in the buckets continue along their path of movement until they arrive at a predetermined position under spaced chute members, which have received a plurality of tablets from a tablet or article conveyor, to feed an exact number of tablets into each container at a proper timed interval. Additional means are provided adjacent the tablet-feeding means for positioning the tablets in the containers in a uniform manner. After the tablets are properly positioned and arranged in the container, the filled container is continued along a path of movement to a predetermined position where it receives a slip, card or the like containing printed matter, such as directions,pertalning to the use of the tablets. The container of tablets is then moved to another predetermined position to receive a folded advertising. circular in superposed relation with the tablets. The circular is first folded to proper shape and then fed into proper position in the container. When the folding mechanism, which folds and feeds the advertising circular of folded dimensional size, is operatedfthe container is moved by the conveyor to closing position where the hinged top will be closed to completey the packaging operation.

Referring more specifically to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, the machine comprises a frame I which is attached to a base or supporting member. Transverse shafts 2 yare journaled in the frame I and carry sprocket wheels 3, only one of these shafts and sprockets being shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The sprocket wheels 3 support and operate a conveyor belt 4 which comprises a plurality of individual convey-` ing buckets, receptacles or plates 5 having a package or container receiving pocket. The buckets 5 are connected by links l0, Fig. 7, secured to adjacent buckets by pins 1 passing through the downwardly extending flanges or lugs II. The conveyor 4 and its auxiliary structure are supported and guided by stationary plates or bars 8 mounted on a bracket 8, the bracket 8 being bolted to the frame by bolts 9. A small container I2, Fig. 3, is placed in each individual bucket 5 of the conveyor 4 and is fed along the path of the conveyor into the packaging machine. The conveyor buckets 5 carrying containers |2 are successively moved by the conveyor to a series of operating stations designated as stations A, B, C, D, E and F in the drawings, see Figs. 1 and 2. At the station A a container is rst accurately positioned with respect to the conveyor bucket by which it is carried, by means of a positioning pin I3 carried by an oscillating lever I1, and thereafter a short section of paper is cut from a paper web 22, Fig. 2, carried by a supply roll 20, said section [being deposited in proper position at the bottom of the container as shown, for example, in Fig. 3.

After receiving the web section 22, the containers are moved from station A successively to stations B, C and D, Figs. land 2, wherein the articles are deposited or loaded therein as shown, for example, in Fig. 3. In the particular embodiment illustrated the articles to be packaged are tablets or the like, three rows of four tablets each being deposited into the hinged-lid containers. In Fig. 3 certain of the` tablets are broken away so as to facilitate the showing of the web piece `22 at the bottom of the container and upon which the tablets are adapted to be placed. The chute members 46, Figs. 1 and 2, deposit one row of tablets into the containers at each of the sta-` tions B, C and D, the first row of tablets being deposited at the station B, the second row being deposited at the station C, and the third row of tablets -being ldeposited at the station D. The tablets are fed to the chute members 46 from a hopper 49 by means of an inclined tablet oonveyor structure 41. The tablets, upon being deposited into the containers, are accurately positioned therein by pusher or positioning bars 91 and a plate 224, so that as the containers leave station D and are transmitted by the conveyor 4 to the station E, the tablets will be accurately positioned therein, the container being completely loaded as indicated -by the showing in Fig. 3.

The details of operation of the positioning pin I3, the mechanism for severing and placing the cut sections of web 22 into the bottom of the containers, the action of the chutes 46 and the positioning devices 91 and 224 in loading the containers, and the conveyor structures for transmitting the tablets from the supply hopper 49 to the chutes specifically form n`o part of the herein yclaimed invention and accordingly need not be specifically described. A detailed description of such mechanism appears in the aforementioned application of Michael J. Milmoe and Clarence J. Malhiot, Serial No. 164,364.

As the article-filled containers are transmitted to the station E, Figs. 1 and 2. a slip |26 containing printed matter or instructions, is placed in superposed position on the tablets 1| in each container, as best shown in Fig. 4. The means for inserting or applying the slips |26 is best shown in Fig. 7. A slip |26 is fed from a hopper |21 by suction means (not shown). The hopper |21 is disposed vertically and immediately adiacent the conveyor.

A slip |26 from the bottom of the hopper 21 is deposited by means, as stated, upon a guide table |28 mounted on a bracket |29 by means of bolts |30. The guide table |28 has a recess |3I, Fig. 7, to assist in feeding the slip |26 over the table. A plate |32 bolted to the front face of the hopper |21 has a forwardly and downwardly inclined portion overlying the bucket 5 and container I2 at position E, Figs. 1 and 2, for the purpose of guiding the slip |26 into its proper position in the container. Working in conjunction with the guide table |28 is a pusher arm |33 having a perpendicular arm |34 extending across the table |28. This pusher arm |33 is pivoted at |35 to the arm |36 of a bell crank lever plvoted at |38. The arm |31 of the bell crank lever is pivoted at |39 to a link |40 which in turn is pivoted at its other end to a crank pin |4| carried by a crank member |42 fixed to a shaft |43. The crank pin |4| and link |40 oscillate the bell crank lever and cause the pusher arm |33 to reciprocate horizontally across the guide table |28, thereby pushing the slip |26 into the container I2 at position E.

The subsequent movement of the conveyor 4 brings each container I2 to a position F, Figs. 1 and 2, to receive a folded printed circular |44, Figs. 1, 2 and 5.

The unit for folding the printed circular is immediately adjacent the conveyor at the position F, Figs. 1 and 2, and consists of a horizontal folding blade |45, Fig. 1, attached to an arm |48 which is actuated back and forth by means (not shown). The folding blade |45 contacts the printed circular |44, being fed through and by the feed rolls |41 and |48, mounted on the shafts |49 and |50 which are journaled on the frame in any conventional manner. 'I'he printed circular or paper is fed downward through guides |5| into guides |52, where lt is engaged by the first folding blade |46 and then fed to the feediroll |63 and.|64. lThe feed.-rolls, |63 and-164cm mounted on shafts |66 andi, and-fecdthe folded circular into lthe-upwardly inclined guides,

A secondfolding blade i 68,1Flg.- 1,between feed rolls- |63, |54 and guides |61, is carried by r an actuating arm` |59 and is reciprocated vertically to fold the circular a. second time and to feed the same into `vertically disposed guides |60 which are bracketed .to the frame at- |6| The circular |44 is then contacted by afthird folding `blade or member |62 to refold` the twice folded circular. The vfolding member |62 is horizontally disposed and is reciprocated longitudinally of the `conveyor 4to fold and feed the circular into horizontallyy disposed guide members |63. The guide members |63 have a vertical opening or slit-|64 extending along an axis parallel to the .longitudinal axis of the conveyor which allows a fourth folding member |66 reciprocable in a vertical plane to contact the circular |44 to againy fold and feed it downwardly to a position wherein it is` disposed in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the con,- 9

veyor. In this position it is engaged by the fifth folding niemberl66, Figs. 2 and 10 to 12. The fifth folding member or arm isehorizontally disposed and carried by Vthe actuating arm |61` Fig. 10. A

This fifth folding member is reclprocated horizontally and in moving toward the conveyor 4 it` engages and folds vthe circular'` |44 feeding it through the spring-urged guide member |68 and the guide |69, Figs. and 1l. The guide member |68 has a xed upper portion |10, to which is secured at one end-aghelical spring |1| for constantly urging the guide member |68 intoa predetermined position spaced fromY the lower guide |69. This urging actionassists the folding arm |66 in` creasing' the circular 'when-feeding it into the containers i2. The lower guide |69 is bracketed to the back magazinel Wall bracket |12 by bo1t`s'|13.` The back 'bracket may be attached to the frame bracket 8 in anylconventional.mane

The circular |44,'which has been folded ner. five times, conforms in substantial dimensional size to that of the container I2, so `that it'can beeasily'and readily inserted therein. The completely'foldedcircular |44 i s pushed bythe fifth folding membery |66 "into the container |2.,

The 11d |15 of each ccntamerjl 2' as it approaches the position F* is engagedy by theY guidenember ns, rigs-1, 2` 'and sto 11.l Thisguide member |16 is disposed vertically adjacent the conveyor 4 and is attachedto the anglebracket 8. in any convenient manner.

y The member |16 has an integral arm` |11 extending horizontally above c the conveyor buckets 5; Y1.0 and 11. YThis arm |111hasan angie or camA perdon 11a to move the f lidy toward closed position (see Fig'. 2). ,The ex` tension arm |11 may rbe integrally attached to theguide member |16; orl it may, bev hinged'` in anyk convenientv manner` (notjshown) The :lid

|16' ofV the container, asj the container is fed,

alongycomes incontact with theangled Vportion ns of. the guide 19185812011.

Y65, toprogressively close the lid.

The extreme' end 'of trie guide arm |11', opposite the angled end |18, substantially' overlies the lid |15 `of-'the Containern; but the lmi ns is preventedffrom completely closing'by the horizontal arm |14 which extends into' a postionbeneath a corner of the lid of the' container at Vthe position F, Fig. 10. The lid' is prevented'from closing so that the'folded circular |44 can befed from tainer |2 as shownin Fig. 11.,VK f L `The inext movementA of :the cornreyorcauseseach containerto be movedaway from position F and2 from the extension armf|1 4. .The right end of the guide arm r|11 ,pushes the lid` 16 downward into a substantially closed positiomias lshown in Fig. 6. In this latter position the conveyor moves thecontainers under ja pressery roll |86, Figs. l, 2 a.ndl2. which.v is -rotatablymounted on a .stud shaft |8l. The pressor roll pressesthelid |16 into closed position to completefthe packaging, operation.; The closed packagesy are then` con-- veyed away to a table |82 ,for shipping, and thef like.

Itis to Vbeunderstoodthat the packaging `machine hereinbefore described has `its variousI ac" tuatingY mechanisms yconnected to'a main drive shaft (not shown) kfor synchronizing the series of operations in timed relationship.V f

Operation.

The opencontainers 2 are placed -in conveyorl buckets 6 andproperly positioned therein bythe l pin 8 Iiust prior to reaching the position A; Fig. 11,1 where a slip of'paper 22 is fed and cut oiy and finally inserted in the-bottom -of the container. The containers are `then moved in succession by the intermittently operating conveyor to the position` B, under the first chute member 46, where each container receivesA the first row of tabs lets 1|, coming from the inclined Vconveyor 41 and hopper49;

The pusher bar 91 positions the row of tablets at `the nextposition, after 'which itis -fed along to position C. vAtthis position it receives-a second of the third row to be zproperly positionedv and lie flatin the container. @Whensay container is movedfto position D to receive the last .row `of, tablets, the: conveyor has positioned.v additionalv s containers atc-positions CY andB and-A toreceive the V,second and first` row of tablets-andthe bottom papen 0115119.22, respectively. :i

Afterkeachvcontainer is filled itis-then con-` veyed to positionA E, ,lig.-1,' to receive atoptslip |26, fFigs.-V l, and '1,y .fed fromthehopperk |21., The slip isl pushed by `the Areciprocating .arm `|38 v intoleachcontainer |2 into superposingfrelation- :l

ship with the tablets .1, -y

Eachccontainerv I2 kis next, conveyedztottheJposi- `tion F, Where aprinted 'circular-.|441 which :has:

been folded vlive times bythe folding devices is inserted into the container.- The lid |16 ofeach` container |2-,whi le approaching-'the position-F, L' contacts the- ,fl,1gl1larv- .guidewmembcr |16 which 1 fimctionsvtoA movey the lid1f|16 toward a closed@l position, but the lid is .prevented ,from ciosingi" completelyfbyc` an extension. armv` |14 so vthat :the f a completed package.

It be lseen that after haves;

the` guide members into `and l inserted inthe con' Af rtne ..flo1 ded circular feinste-fred, :the lcnbeen placed in the buckets B the packaging machine automatically performs its sexies of operations to provide a container with its full contents including the slip |28 and circular I, and then completely closes the container to form a completed package. this automatic operation being accomplished without any manual means whatsoever.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows: 1. In a packaging machine of the type adapted for the packaging of articles within hinged-lid containers, a conveyor` adapted to propel a series of hinged-lid article-filled containers along a predetermined path, and means located along the path of the conveyor for inserting a paper slip into the containers in juxtaposed relation to the articles therein, said last named means comprising a reciprocably operable pusher member` operable transversely of the conveyor to slide said I slip edgewise into the container into position adjacent the articles within the container while the container-hinged lid remains in open unobtin osition. stlcln lpackaging machine of the type adapted for the packaging of articles within containers, a conveyor adapted to propel a series of articleillled containers along a predetermined path, means located at a given station along the path of the conveyor for inserting a paper slip into the containers in superposed relation to the articles therein, and means located at a further station along the path of the conveyor for folding and inserting a, circular into the containers in superposed relation to the paper slip, said last named means comprising a hopper for superposed circulars, means for successively withdrawing the circulars from the hopper, means for folding the circulars, and means for inserting the folded circulars into the containers.

3. In a packaging machine of the type adapted for the packaging of articles within hinged-lid containers, a conveyor adapted to propel a series of hinged-lid article-filled containers along a predetermined path, and means located along the path -of the conveyor for folding and inserting circulars into the containers in superposed relation to the articles therein, said folding and inserting means including a folding mechanism for folding a circular and an inserting member reciprocably operable transversely of the conveyor to engage the folded circular and insert the same into the containers in superposed position upon the articles therein while the container 11d remains in open unobstructing position.

4. In a packaging machine of the type adapted for the packaging of articles within hinged-lid containers, a, conveyor adapted to propel a'series of hinged-lid containers along a predetermined path, means located along the path of the conveyor for pivoting the container lids to a predetermined substantially closed position, and means also located along the path of the conveyor for introducing circulars transversely of the conveyor into the containers and through the respective passageways between the substantially closed lids and the bodies of the containers.

5. In a packaging machine of the type adapted for the packaging of articles within hinged-lid containers, a conveyor adapted to propel a series against of hinged-lid article-filled containers along a predetermined path. means located along the path of travel of the conveyor at a given station thereon for pivotally moving the containerhinged lids to partially clod position and for retaining them in such position, and circular inserting means located at said station for successively sliding circulars transversely of the conveyor into the containers into superposed position upon the articles therein through the respective passageways between the partially closed lids and the bodies of the containers as the containers are successively presented to said station.

6. A packaging machine as defined in claim 5 wherein circular folding means is also provided at said station for folding the circulars prior to the operation of the inserting means.

7. In a packaging machine of the type adapted for the packaging of articles within hinged-lid containers. a conveyor adapted to propel a series of hinged-lid article-filled containers along a predetermined path, ilxed abutment means located along the path of the conveyor against which the hinged lids of the loaded containers are adapted to be engaged and pivoted to substantiallyclosed position, additional fixed abutment means engageable with the lids as they reach substantially closed position to maintain them in such position, and circular inserting means operable to introduce circulars transversely of the conveyor under the lids of the containers while said lids are held between the abutment means.

8. A packaging machine as defined in claim 7 wherein circular folding means is provided in association with the circular inserting means for folding the circulars and delivering the folded circulars to said inserting means.

9. In a packaging machine of the type adapted for the packaging'of articles within hinged-lid containers, a conveyor adapted to propel a series of hinged-lid containers along a predetermined path, fixed abutment means comprising a cam member located along the path of the conveyor closed position to maintain them in such position, and circular inserting means operable to introduce circulars transversely of the conveyor into the containers while said lids are held between the-abutment means.

" l0. In a packaging machine of the type adapted for the packaging of articles within hinged-lid containers, a conveyor adapted to propel a series of hinged-lid containers along a predetermined path, fixed abutment means located along the path of the conveyor against which the hinged lids of the containers are adapted to be engaged and pivoted to substantially closed position, additional xed abutment means engageable with the lids as they reach substantially closed position transversely of the conveyor under the lids of the abutment means in said substantially closed position, and means operable to thereafter completely close the container lids.

1l. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the last named lid-closing means comprises a roller member arranged along the path of travel of the conveyor engageable with the lids for compressing them to completely closed position.

Y 12. In a packaging machine of the type adapted for the packaging of articles within containers, a conveyor adapted to propel a series of article-filled containers along a predetermined path, and means located along the path of the conveyor for folding and inserting circulars into the containers in superposed relation to the articles therein, said circular folding and inserting means' including a member reciprocably operable transversely of the conveyor and adapted .to engage the circular and eiect a folding operation thereon and on further movement to effect an insertion of the circular into the container.

13. In a packaging machine of the type adapted for the packaging of articles within hinged-lid containers, a conveyor adapted to propel a series of hinged-lid article-lled containers along a predetermined path, means 1ocated along the path of the conveyor for holding a container lid at an acute angle with respect to the container body, and means also located along the path of the conveyor for folding and inserting a circular into the container into juxtaposed relation to the articles therein and while the container lid is held by the holding means, said circular folding and inserting means including a member adapted to engage and enect a folding operation upon a circular and upon further movement to effect an insertion offthe circular into the container.

14. In aV packaging machine of the type adapted for the packaging of articles within hinged-lid containers, a conveyor adapted to propel a series of hinged-lid article-vlled vcontainers along apredetermined path, means located along the path ofthe conveyor for holding the hinged-lid of a container at an acute angle with respect to the container body, and means also located along the path of the conveyor for folding and inserting a circular into the container into superposed lrelation to the articles therein While the lid is held by the holding means, said folding and inserting means including a folding mechanism for folding a circular and an inserting mechanism operable to engage the folded circular and insert the same transversely of the conveyor into the container. l

15. In a packaging machine of the type adapted for the packaging of articles within hinged-lid containers, a conveyor adapted to propel a series of hinged-lid containers along a predetermined path, means located along 'the path of travel of the conveyor for positively holding the hingedlid of a container at an acute angle with respect to the container body, and means also located along the path of the conveyor for introducing a circular transverselyv of the conveyor into the container while the lid is held by said holding means.

16. In a packaging machine of the type adapted for the packaging of articles within hinged-lid containers, a conveyor adapted to f propel a series of article-filled hinged-lid containers along a predetermined path, and means I located along the path of the conveyor for folding and inserting circulars into the containers in superposed relation to the articles therein, said circular folding and inserting means includzing a series of at least three folding members foiproducing at least three folds in the circulars, and means operable transversely of the conveyor for inserting the folded circulars into the containers in superposed position upon the articles, therein while the container hinged-lids remain in open unobstructing position.

. FLORENCE G. M. MILMOE. E.'l:eeut1'a:` of the estate of Michael J. Mlmoe,

Deceased.

` CLARENCE J. MALHIOT. 

